FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE			February 21, 1996

Contact:	Scott Kathey  (831) 647-4251

MONTEREY BAY SANCTUARY SPONSORS
SECOND ANNUAL RESEARCH EXPEDITION

	The Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (MBNMS) will 
again be sponsoring scientific research aboard the NOAA Ship 
McArthur from May 28 through June 14.  The McArthur, a 175 ft 
long government research vessel based in Seattle, spent 27 
days last Spring in the MBNMS conducting basic and resource 
management research.  Local marine scientists are encouraged 
to submit applications to conduct research again this year.

	After a successful cruise in 1995, the Monterey 
Sanctuary is hopeful that it can continue to supply free ship 
time to central California marine researchers.  Projects on 
the cruise last year included geological coring, acoustical 
surveys of the seabed, collections of benthic and pelagic 
organisms, ecological surveys using divers and an unmanned 
submarine, meteorological analyses, replacement of a deep-sea 
current meter, and pollution studies.

	"The annual Monterey Bay Sanctuary sponsored research 
cruise is becoming central to our program's four 
Congressionally-mandated objectives of research, education, 
conservation and multiple use," stated Terry Jackson, 
Sanctuary Manager.  "The beauty of this cruise is that we are 
supplying a valuable asset to the local marine science 
community at essentially no extra cost to the taxpayer."

	This year, NOAA's National Undersea Research Program 
will be making equipment and funds available to scientists.  
Also, in addition to the research, local area teachers will 
be encouraged to participate in the cruises as part of NOAA's 
Teacher-At-Sea Program to help them develop "marine related" 
curricula for their classes.

	Interested researchers can submit a request for ship 
time by contacting Dr. Andrew De Vogelaere at 408-647-4213.  
Local teachers (K-12) interested in participating in the 
cruise should contact Liz Love at 408-647-4255 for a separate 
application.